Lofa County – In furtherance of a commitment made by the Christian charity, Last Well to intervene in the water crisis and bring relief to the people of Lofa County, the NGO has launched its clean water access project expected to benefit over 220,000 people.
The launching of the Clean Water Access Project took place on Friday, May 3, 2019, in the county’s capital City, Voinjama.
The project targets about 220,517 residenst in Foya, Kolahun, Quadru Boundi, Salayea , Vahun , Voinjama and Zorzor districts in Lofa County.
These districts will benefit from construction of new hand pumps, rehabilitation of hand pumps and the distribution of water filter buckets.
The launching program, which was held at the Voinjama City Hall, brought together staff of Last Well, National WASH Commission, Public Works Ministry Local authority, locals and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia amongst others.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Lofa County Superintendent William Tamba Kimba described Last Well intervention as a “rescue mission”.
Superintendent Kimba said the intervention by the Last Well in his county was timely because several towns and villages are undergoing serious struggle for safe drinking water.
He thanked Last Well for the initiative and urged residents to ensure that they work with the charity in the implementation of the project.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the National WASH Commission, Bobby Whitefield said the need for safe drinking water in all parts of the country cannot be overemphasized.
Whitefield noted that the commission as a regulatory body will work with development partners to ensure that safe drinking water is provided to Liberian across the country.
He commended the Last Well for embarking on such an initiative and assured the charity of the commission’s cooperation in the implementation of the project.
For his part, Public Works Deputy Minister Benjamin Banto praised the Last Well for intervening in the water crisis in Lofa County.
Mr. Banto said the “timely intervention of the Last Well will go a long way in addressing water challenges faced by residents of the county”.
In remarks, a director at the National Public Health Institute, Wataku Kortima, noted that safe water and clean water plays a major part in the social and developmental growth of any nation.
Mr. Kortima noted that the issue of safe drinking water is a requirement in sustaining the human body.
He said NPHIL will work with Last Well for the implementation of the project in Lofa County.
Presenting an overview of the Clean Water Access Project in Lofa County to the acute water shortage in Foya and Kolahun Districts.
Mr. Koroma, however, said that the project will cover the entire county and will provide access to safe and clean water to inhabitants.
He indicated that the charity contractors are currently carrying out an assessment with the intent of giving them a clearer picture of the water crisis in Lofa.
The Last Well Senior WASH Advisor indicated that the charity has put in place a sustainability plan with the aimed of maintaining the facilities to be constructed.
The WASH Advisor said the intervention is a way of supporting the government of Liberia Pro-Poor Agenda in line to the provision of safe drinking water.
He said the project will also provide job opportunities for the locals who will in one way be contracted to work with contractors to implement the project.
As part of the Last Well intervention, Koroma asserted, that 116 new hand pumps will be built and they will rehabilitate 161 hand pumps in all of the seven districts in the county.
For their part, the council of commissioners of Lofa County pledged their unflinching support to Last Well to ensure that the project becomes successfu.
About 5,500 Water filter buckets will be distributed in the county especially to communities that are hard to reach.